Attempted homicide charges dropped against California man

Prosecutors dropped attempted homicide charges Monday against a California man who allegedly stabbed his father and brother in a vehicle on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Jack A. Celaje, 24, of Laverne, Calif., was charged with two counts each of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Those charges, and the complaint in which they were filed, were dropped Monday by Somerset County Assistant District Attorney William Cline.

In court documents, Cline wrote that the complaint was withdrawn "due to the failure of the (alleged) victims/witnesses to cooperate."

Cline did not return a telephone call Monday seeking comment.

Police said Celaje was riding in the car Aug. 29 with his brother Jeffrey, 25, and father Joseph, 45, who was driving.

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The vehicle was eastbound and destined for Princeton, N.J., according to published reports.

As it entered Jefferson Township, Celaje woke from the rear passenger's seat and for "an unknown reason" began stabbing his father in the torso and neck, according to police. The brother intervened, but was stabbed in the neck, police said.

Celaje then opened a rear door and jumped from the vehicle as it was traveling about 55 mph, according to police. He suffered cuts, abrasions and a broken bone.

Celaje was flown to Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown. His father and brother were transported to UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, each with "life threatening" injuries, according to police.

After being charged, Celaje was released into the custody of his attorney, David J. Flower of Somerset, to return to California for "in house treatment," according to court documents.